Title: A VSM and VSA methodology for performance assessment of complex product manufacturing processes: an industrial case study

Authors: Dorota Stadnicka; R.M. Chandima Ratnayake

Addresses: Faculty of Mechanical Engineering and Aeronautics, Rzeszow University of Technology, Rzeszow, Poland ' Department of Mechanical and Structural Engineering and Materials Science, University of Stavanger, Stavanger, Norway

Abstract: This manuscript describes a Value Stream Mapping (VSM) based generic methodology that enables the visualisation, performance assessment (PA) and waste reduction (WR) in a Complex Products' Manufacturing Process (CPMP). The VSM, along with Kanban, enables modelling and implementing an order-driven or pull manufacturing process (MP) together with just-in-time material (or semi-finished items) arrivals. The methodology also incorporates a number arrays-based approach that enables a comprehensive Value Stream Analysis (VSA) when the value stream map (VS-Map) becomes significantly large and complex. A case study has been performed in collaboration with a saw-blade sharpening machines' manufacturing firm to illustrate the use of the suggested VSM-based generic methodology and number arrays in VSA for PA of CPMPs. The calculated lead-time of the case study complex product (CP) is almost 323 days. All cycle times are smaller than takt time (TT) (i.e. 600 min).

Keywords: value stream mapping; value stream analysis; value stream map; number arrays; complex product manufacturing; waste reduction; Kanban; performance assessment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJPD.2017.086453

International Journal of Product Development, 2017 Vol.22 No.2, pp.104 - 134

Accepted: 16 Apr 2017
Published online: 10 Sep 2017 *

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